With new app, Porch.com adds on-demand home improvement | Brier Dudley

Seattle startup Porch.com keeps hammering away at the home-improvement market. Todayits announcinga new appthat will enable people to order home-improvement services with a few taps ontheir phone.

The app lets people search forhome-improvementservice providers onApple mobile devices, extending the Porch web site. But the apps key feature isaconcierge service that will directly connect homeowners with contractors to arrange projects, with a pledge to geta contractor on the phone in less than 60 seconds.

Porch image of its apps concierge screen.

Matchmaking is coordinated by Porch representatives providing live customer service during each session. The concierge service has been tested in recent months with thecontractor referral service that Porch offersnationally through Lowes stores.

Contractorsget a heads-up about the project request throughCaller ID on their mobile phones, indicating that a Porch referral isavailable, or via text message.

A more advanced version of the Porch app that offers instant contractor booking, all via the app,is also launching in trial mode in the Seattle area.

That is taking the next step to making home improvement easy, really frictionless, for homeowners, said Matt Ehrlichman, Porch chief executive.

Ehrlichman said the general idea is to make Porch like Uber for home.

To enable instant booking, Porch screens a roster of service providers and pre-negotiates prices fora fixed set of smaller home-improvement projects, such as hanging a picture, installing a garbage-disposal or wiring a light fixture. More complicated projects such as building a deck or replacing a roof still require research and an old fashioned conversation.

This aspect is similar to the service provided by cross-town rival Pro.com, a home-improvement venture started by Amazon.com veterans. Pro.coms pitch is that it offers instant estimates tailored for local market conditions, with online scheduling available so far in the Seattle area.

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With new app, Porch.com adds on-demand home improvement | Brier Dudley